“My leftover pizza!”

Joey stood frozen mid-bite at the kitchen counter. It was as if he thought standing still would make his roommate forget him. Better yet, he thought it might make him invisible. But Joey knew that Ralph saw him, the now empty pizza box that he was using as a plate, and, of course, the last piece of pizza dangling from his mouth. He met Ralph’s gaze, even though he did not want to. He took the pizza slice from his mouth and offered it to his friend. It was no worse for wear, except that it had teeth marks in it.

“Uh. You can have the last piece.”

“You took a bite out of it!”

Joey stammered, “Well… I… Uh… No. Technically, the bite is still there. There are teeth marks though.” He smiled. Or at least he tried to.

“You knew I was saving that for lunch. And it was half a pizza!”

Joey hung his head. He looked at Ralph’s feet, and shuffled his own. “Yeah. I know. I’m sorry.” He looked up. And smiled. “But I can make it up to you. C’mon. We can go get pizza now.”

“Right. Lunch hour rush. Our favorite pizza place. I’m driving. And probably paying too.”

Joey smiled. “Perfect. I’ll get my coat.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“And…”

Ralph sighed. “I’ll get my coat.”

“Don’t forget your keys. And you wallet.”

Joey ate the last slice of pizza on the way out the door.

Sam sits in the corner of his dark room, partaking in a sacred ritual that nobody else may know that he partakes in. He has taken every precaution: the doors in his apartment are locked tight, the blinds are shut, and his Ring doorbell is on so that he is alerted of anyone that walks up to the door well in advance. He smiles to himself “Yes, nobody knows that I watch it now.”. He reads the subtitles fervidly, digesting every minute detail and laughing along with the characters. All of a sudden the door swings open and the lights get turned on. Sam clutches his chest and gasps, swinging around to see who came into the door. “No!” he thought to himself “It can’t be!” But it was: his roommate and best friend Theo. Theo gasps at the same time and looks over at the laptop screen that is sitting in front of Sam.  “Oh my god, Sam! Is that-?” “This can’t be happening. It can’t be.” “It is! You’re watching One Piece, aren’t you?” A single tear rolls down Sam’s cheek. It was true, he was watching _One Piece. _Theo begins to laugh so hard that he’s doubled over. “I cannot believe this” Sam thinks to himself. “I followed every precaution per the subreddit! How could he have found me out?” Sam notices an idea start to form, a plot that he could use. “I know what to do. I’ll knock Theo out and jump out of this window. I’ll delete every form of social media, effectively becoming a hermit. I will then use the bonus money that I have hidden away in my mattress (that’s my Comicon money) and book a flight to Japan. I already know most of the language from this show. I can use that knowledge to hitchhike into rural Japan and live amongst the elders. Yes… This is what I must do…” Theo raises an eyebrow. “Sam?” “What?” “You just said all of that out loud.” There is a long pause. Sam runs at Theo full speed and tackles him. “NO ONE CAN KNOW!”

The beam of light pins me to the wall. I can only imagine how I look, hunched over the half eaten load of bread, still shoveling crumbs into my mouth, squinting towards the light.

“Drop it!” The sour voice comes from someone I can not see against the glaring light.

Instead of obliging, I shove the rest of the bread into my mouth as quickly as possible, the grumbling in my stomach winning over any logic.

“Hey!” A second later the thick end of a night stick slams into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. Resolute, I continue to chew furiously through the pain, eyes watering.

It isn’t until much later, when I’ve been trundled into the back of a barred wagon to be carted to the jail, that the shame begins to set in. Now that the aching, gnawing hunger in my stomach that had haunted me for weeks has finally abated enough to think. Now that I have nothing for company but the rats in the corners of the cell, nothing to see but the blank, damp wall across the way.

A drunkard a few cells over begins to sing a melancholy country tune, soft at first, growing stronger with each verse.

“-and when my girl, she found me there, she shook her head, and said, you’re dead-“

I might as well be dead, for all the good I was providing to this world. Nothing but a burden to society, barely keeping myself alive, let alone fulfilling any purpose.

What did I have to help this world? To make it a better place? What did I contribute, other than another mouth to feed?

It hadn’t always been this way. Years ago I’d been respected, well off, bordering on wealthy even.

But now I had slipped, tumbled off my golden pedestal until I was all but unrecognizable. Until I was no better than the rats that populated the sewers.

And the worst bit - I was all alone.

“Camden!”

At the sound of my boyfriend’s voice, I froze. My hands, however, were still shaking, and I dropped the bottle into the sink. There was the sound of scattering pills before it all fell silent. I gulped, knowing I was in deep shit now.

“Camden.” Arian repeated, taking a step towards me, his voice stern. “What the fuck were you just doing?”

I knew my cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. “Nothing-“

“Camden. Lee. Miller. Do not lie to me.”

I withdrew into myself, my eyes searching for anywhere to stare but at him. I crossed my arms anxiously and took a step back away from the sink, just wanting to be as far away from Arian as possible. Why the fuck didn’t I lock the door when I came in here?

Arian stepped in front of the sink, and my eyes stayed trained on his shoes. The silence pounded in my ears as he picked up the bottle I had dropped. I could feel the anger emanating off of him as he finally turned towards me.

“You promised me.” He said, his voice strained, hurt. “You told me you had thrown these out.”

I had said that. I had lied.

I shuffled my feet, tears lodged into my throat. I felt that if I opened my mouth, I would cry. Arian turned back to the sink, gathering the rest of the pills in his hands. My eyes finally drifted up, but he wasn’t looking at me. He held a handful of pills in one hand, and with the other, he reached over and lifted the toilet lid up.

My heart dropped straight to my stomach.

Without looking at me, he threw the pills in the toilet. A strange noise left my throat as he flushed them down the drain. Yet I stayed frozen. He glanced at me, his eyes almost empty.

“Where are the rest?” He demanded. I flinched a bit at his tone.

“I don’t-“

“Camden.”

I withered. “Hidden in a t-shirt. In my drawer.”

He studied me, seeing if I was telling the truth this time. He must’ve decided to take my word for it, because he told me to stay where I was and quickly left. My legs seemed to give out from underneath me, because when he did come back, I was on the floor. He had two pill bottles in his hands, which he quickly opened.

“Arian, please-“ I begged right before he dumped them and flushed them as well. Only then did he look at me again.

“Is that all?”

“Arian-“

I needed them. I needed those pills.

“Camden, I am only asking you once. Those better have been it. If I search your room and find more I’m going to lose my shit. So you’d better tell me right now, are those the only ones you have?”

A tear slipped down my face. I was shaking too bad to even think about lying right now. Plus I had already caused enough pain today. I almost broke entirely when I said, “I don’t have anymore.”

“Are you lying to me?”

I shook my head. I wanted to throw up.

A few seconds passed before Arian finally got down on his knees in front of me. Tears were streaming down my face now, and my knees were tucked into my chest. I couldn’t focus on him, but I looked vaguely in his direction.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. And I meant it. I wish I didn’t need the pills. But my arms were itching without them.

“I know,” Arian whispered, his voice no longer angry.

His arms wrapped around me as he held me close. And we stayed that way. Maybe for a couple minutes. Maybe for an hour. Maybe for forever. But it was just me and him, in the silence.

[Viewer Reading Discretion Advised]

(Due to Sexual Themes, Adult Language, Drug usage, Adult themes, Violence,and Trigger warning)

Nessa (Venessa Jones) 21

Lily (Lana Jones) 19

Cole (Collin Smith) 21

Zaz (Zavier Roberts) 20

Nicky ( Nicole Peterson) 22

Esme (Ethan Peterson) 18

Max (Markus Salomon) 23

Izzy (Isabella Salomon) 18

Harley (Quinzel Myers) 19

Chase (Chase Wetzel) 20

Chad (Chad Wetzel) 20

Madie (Madaline Rodriguez) 19

Nessa

“You know I’m giving you the nickname peaches now, right” Nessa giggled a bit, rubbing the chin of a very sickly looking greenish faced Izzy. “It will be yours forever”

Dawn broke as Izzy was finially away from the toilet. Now hunkered down in the booth seat where the drinking had taken place. She looked very sick and nausiated. Nessa hadn’t left her side, except to get her some water.

Everyone else had gone to sleep, Max and Cole snored from only a few feet away. Zaz was driving now, whistling something she couldn’t quite make out. All the girls had been dragged off to the master bedroom.

“I really wanna get to know you more” With love sick puppy eyes Izzy gazed her way. “Thanks for not leaving me sick and alone.”

“Puking sucks” Nessa replied, twirling a bit of Izzy’s hair around on her finger. “Has Max’s little sister really turned me gay?” She thought to herself, watching Izzy snuggle up against her.

“What do you want to know? Peaches?” Nessa questioned with a side glance at Izzy.

“Is everything too much?” Izzy questioned, sheepishly with a naive light tone.

“So I popped out of my mother’s whoha about…” Nessa started with obvious sass, Izzy giggled a bit.

“Not that far back” She protested.

“Well I got into some trouble at home, got me and Lily thrown out. Thankfully your brother took us in” Nessa sighed. “I was never a great student, pretty much a party person. Now I’m just kinda lost in the sauce of it all.”

“The vile of blow” Izzy laughed and Nessa glared at her but couldn’t quite get the animosity right. “Lily told me. Never guessed you were that kinda girl…”

“Sometimes you just get lost in whatever everyone else around you is doing…”

“I get that” Izzy huffed.

“You think it was wrong?” She blurted out in but a whisper.

“What?” Nessa asked, sincerely confuzzeled.

“Playing with myself. Mom says it’s shameful” Izzy sqealed, causing Nessa to chuckle a bit. “It feels so good thou”

“Your mom caught you?”

“She’s not the only one” Izzy giggled and nearly fell off the booth seat.

“Yeah, true” Nessa sighed. “Not for nothing, it was so hot. Also you have a cute little cunny” She wiggled her pointer finger like people do with babies.

“Thanks…. Sorry you heard your name” Even in a drunken stupor Izzy averted her eyes and shrugged.

“I actually think it’s cool. Like I feel desired” Nessa answered honestly, feeling a bit unsure about it.

“Well your a catch mamas” Izzy stuck her tongue out.

“Means a lot” Then it hit her like a jet crashing in on her. “You don’t even get how much. Yet it’s a lot”.

“Can you take me to bed?” Izzy mumbled a bit, words still a little slurred.

“That depends my peach? With or without clothes” Nessa grimaced as the thoughts overtook her better judgement.

“Yeah I guess” Nessa gave her a smile, helping direct her drunken sauntering.

Lily

“We aren’t in Kansas anymore!” Zaz shouted, honking the horn and causing a ruckus.

Max shuffled a bit, nearly tossing Lily off onto the floor. So maybe she went against her better judgment and shacked up with Max. But who could blame her, she’d been under the influence. Yet she couldn’t help smiling watching her big bear snoring.

Coffee would wake everyone else up, or it might have already been Zaz.

“Come on Lily! Get them lazy assholes up” Zaz had pulled off onto a dirt patch. “We gotta take a pic with our first state sign!”

“You think your gonna get them girls to take a pic straight out of bed?” Cole chuckled. “I thought I was delulu”

“Well you did get a kiss from Nicky last night. So I wouldn’t put it past you?” Zaz shot back with a quickness.

“Your just mad it wasn’t you” He countered and Zaz just gave him a quick shrug.

“I wouldn’t wake them” Lily warned. “I know that Izzy and Nessa were up late cuz she was sick”

“If you wanna keep your junk, I’d let her wake up by herself” Nicky groaned, rubbing her forehead. “I hate hang overs”

“Know what’s good for that?” Zaz chuckled a bit, definitely setting her up.

“Sleep; gatorade, pedialite, a zany or two. Take your pick” Now she cracked a small smile, sliding into the booth table.

“This di….” Before Zaz could finish grabbing at his junk just short of the table, Cole was on him.

Tossing him to the floor. “That’s not cool dude. Nobody wants that in their face” Cole growled.

“He’s right. I’d much rather see his” Nicky bit her lip and looked at the rising morning show through Cole’s grey cloth shorts.

Now he was bright red trying to cover it up as she reached for it. “Can I just have a little peak?” She cooed looking up at him with suggestive eyes.

“Enough. Would yall knock it off! Some of us are trying to sleep” Max growled but hadn’t moved off his bunk.

“Fine” Zaz mumbled, smacking Cole in the back of the head before grabbing a cup of coffee. “How long we gonna wait for the sleepy heads?”

“Well I’m up” Esme yawned, Harley followed her out the door with a silent wave.

“That just leaves the sick one and the mom” Zaz laughed mostly to himself as Lily glared at him.

“Well at least she’s looking out for someone other then herself” Lily spat back, Zaz through his hands up in mock surrender.

“I ment nothing by it little one”

“Better not” Max growled with a sleepy voice, ruffling his hair at the edge of the bed. “Anyone else feeling like a dinner breakfast?”

“The smell of breakfast will probably cause your sister to barf again” Nessa grumbled, sleepy eyed and tired looking.

Slipping from the room door without a sound. Max stood up, crossing the camper in a few steps. Grabbing Lily for her morning kisses.

“Yuck!” Zaz protested.

“Again, mad cuz yah ain’t got nobody to do that too” Nicky interjected with a smile. “Hater”

“Can you just bring me back something? I’m gonna keep a look out on her” Nessa said grabbing a bottled water from the fridge. “Sorry. Morning everyone” She smiled faintly before waving and returning to the bedroom.

It didn’t take them long to find a small dinner outside the next little town. Seemingly built like the retro metallic dinner of men in black, it look like space aged chrome panels. Very blinding in the afternoon sunlight. Above the door read “Out of this world dinner”.

“Hopefully the food doesn’t take us out of this world” Zaz quipped, opening the door as a bell dinged.

Nobody really reacted to it, just moved into the 80’s looking dinner. Red leather booths, heavy topped tables, even a barstool line to their right side. A row of cakes and pies right up front before the register.

Max turned in the center of the empty dinner and gave everyone a look.

“How do we want to sit?” He asked, watching two girls come out the swinging kitchen doors.

The first tall and lanky, looked like a girls basketball player. But the other one was quite the opposite in a way that Zaz quickly whistled. Causing Nicky to slap him in the back.

She was in fact shorter than the other, hardly over five feet five. Built like brick house in all the right places, waist flatter but not washboard. Boobage pored from the button up work shirt like it was the ocean made to sit in a backyard pond. Skin a sandy red brown, like the platoes in Utah. As she turned to look at them her butt bumped over the utensils that had been wrapped and left out. Lily watched Zaz drooling for a second and scoffed.

“Would you all like a booth?” She asked but her accent was heavyly Spanish sounding.

“Booth please, senorita” Zaz mumbled dreamly, noticing the black accents around her eyes, black lipstick, and the black lace that showed as she picked up the scattered silverware she dropped.

Tattoo’s of black ink also showed along her lower back, and her arms. She was like a Mayan art piece and Zaz was doing everything except bending down and kissing her feet. Dimples and a cute smile only made her more appealing.

“I love your makeup” Lilly gave her a big smile, noticing her sea green eyes.

“Thanks” She quickly said back, passing out menus.

After she sauntered away, Zaz focused on the swing of her hips and flowing jet black hair.

“If you stare anymore, she just might turn to stone” Nicky grumbled.

“Now who’s jelly” Zaz shot back with a wink. “She’s gorgeous. Like drop dead, yummy.”

“Guess someone found his preferences?” Cole laughed a bit watching that girl wave at a dreamy Zaz. “Dude just go get her number”

“Ughhhh. Can yall just leave me here” Everyone laughed at that. “I’m serious… I could eat her up breakfast; lunch, and dinner”

“I bet she can cook too” Cole through in and Nicky looked at him with an eerie smile. “I can cook too”

“Instant noodles isn’t cooking sis” Lilly shot back, laughing by herself.

“I can cook” She pouted.

“Max can we… if I ask…”

“Zaz you don’t know this girl from the menu here. It’s to much of a risk” Zaz groaned. “Well I’m gonna try the riz”

With that, Zaz took off like a love sick puppy. Not that anyone didn’t see it coming. Yet they all just let him go.

Nessa

So maybe puking all night wasn’t the most sexy thing to do. Still watching her sleeping form made it so much better. Izzy’s hair was messily lounging across her back. Nessa tried to keep her eyes off the flesh that her panties hadn’t covered. Tossing the covers over her body she slumped down beside her, startling her awake.

“Hey sleepyhead” Nessa cooed, watching Izzy’s eyes open up before a big yawning stretch.

“I feel like poop” She groaned, holding her head.

“You went pretty hard last night” Nessa chuckled a bit, absentmindedly pulling a few loose strands of hair off her cheeks.

“I can feel it” She sighed, rolling over to face Nessa.

Their eyes met and Nessa quickly gave her a wink, playfully.

“Everyone went to breakfast. I figured your tummy wouldn’t be ready for solid foods just yet” Again Nessa couldn’t help reaching her hand out and rubbing the side Izzy’s face. “Can you believe that Zaz was trying to get everyone up to take a picture with the “welcome to Colorado” sigh”

Before Nessa could even react, Izzy sprung forward and smashed their lips together. Izzy’s lips were full, slightly contrasting Nessa’s own. “This is Max’s little sister” Nessa’s brain was screaming.

Pulling back was harder then allowing it to happen. Thankfully her morning breathe wasn’t puke flavored. Even though it probably wouldn’t have changed the fire that hung across her lips as she sat over the beds edge.

“I’m sorry… I “ Izzy started but Nessa tossed a hand up to silence her.

“I get it… but I’m not like this with girls. Like I’ve seen Nicky be like this but never me” Nessa sighed loudly, running a hand through her hair. “Your like a sexy little kryptonite bomb”

“All I heard is you think I’m sexy” Izzy cooed playfully.

“What would this be?” Nessa grumbled. “I have enough on my plate, this road trip wasn’t even part of my plan.”

“Sometimes it’s better to just go with the flow” Izzy sat up behind her, making a moving wave motion with her hand in front of Nessa’s face. “You just need to relax a bit Nessi”

“Ok peaches” Nessa shot back with a laugh.

“You can have a taste whenever you want” Izzy fell back onto the middle of the huge bed, rubbing her pedicured toes against Ness’s back.

“I’ve never wanted to like I do now” Nessa said gruffly, turning to watch the matching Victoria secret mesh underwear set.

Izzy was biting her bottom lip and giving her squeeze hands like a small child wanting attention. Nessa groaned and leaped forward landing over her. Their faces only a inch or two apart.

“Just let the world go and enjoy the present” Izzy giggled as Nessa grabbed her hips and started to tickel her. “No please” She laughed, rolling and trying to protest.

“Checkmate” Nessa slammed her lips into Izzy’s, biting her bottom lip with greedy intentions.

Zaz

“Hey chika?” Zaz trailed behind their waitress and she turned around fast.

It caught him by surprise. Fear or shock made her jump back a bit at how close Zaz had gotten. Then with a sigh he slipped just short of the swinging doors, leaning against the counter.

“Hello” She flipped her hair a bit behind her ear. “Are you guys ready to order?” She questioned, cocking her head to the side and looking back at the table.

“No not quite. I just thought you were really pretty and I wanted to get your number” Zaz’s voice shook a bit and he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

“Madie! Did you get those peoples order yet” A male voice shouted from behind the swinging doors.

“There still looking at the menu!” She groaned, looking utterly annoyed and defeated.

“I’m sorry your working. I shouldn’t bother you” Zaz rubbed his neck and started away.

Until a fairly soft hand grabbed his, pulling him back around. Looking up into her defeated light brown eyes.

“Are you gonna help your sister pull the meats?” The older male voice called again, she groaned a bit. “These things aren’t going to do themselves!”

“Your very cute but I’m not like you guys. So don’t worry about me.” With a smile she slipped away back into the kitchen and Zaz felt utterly defeated.

“Shot down!!” Cole shouted from the table and Zaz sulked away a little. “What did she mean? She’s not like us”

Slumping down into the booth with a sigh, Nicky gave him a quick smile. Everyone else just seemed to enthused with their menu’s.

“That bad?” Max questioned over his saddened expression.

“Just said I was cute but she wasn’t like us” Zaz watched the sister come out of the back and look over in there direction.

Yet she quickly looked away once she seen him. Which of course only made him feel worse. He’d never done that before, just approach a girl and of course he got shot down.

“You all ready to order?” He’d been so caught up in his own head, and hadn’t seen her coming.

“I think we are all ready. Zaz did you look it over?” Max questioned and everyone’s eyes were on him.

“Yeah” He sighed, trying hard not to glance over at her lovely hips.

So he looked a bit, noticing the leggings were a bit stretched by her full figure. It actually made his mouth water a bit.

Everyone ordered and when it got around to him, he just got some toast and bacon. Which of course just caused Max to raise his eyebrows.

“That’s all your gonna eat?” Max questioned a bit unsure of how he was feeling.

“Yeah… was a bit distracted. Couldn’t focus on the menu” Zaz huffed, looking at her back as she headed to the kitchen.

“There’s a lot to be distracted by” Cole shot out and Nicky smacked his shoulder across the table.

“Bad boy. There will be none of that!” She hissed, causing everyone else to chuckle a bit.

“Yeah no need to be like that shes gorgious” Lily added in.

“Maybe I should try” Cole went to rise and Nicky sighed.

“If I sit in your lap will you get the hint. Stop being a douche” Nicky scolded him again and Max chuckled.

“Better have a tight leash for that one” Max chuckled and gave Cole a look of amusement.

After a bit there food came out, both girls carrying the plates like circus acts. The taller sister quickly retraeting once everyone had there food.

“What did you mean?” Zaz couldn’t let it go.

“I mean I see your friends, y’all look like twilight vampires. With the money to boot” She pointed towards the RV. “I wouldn’t fit into your world, but thanks for the compliment”

“That’s bull” Lily spoke first. “Your stunning and your makeup is on point. Don’t fall into that trap”

“She’s not wrong. Your beautiful” Harley and Esme spoke at the same time.

“Thanks guys but”

“No butt.” Zaz interrupted. “So what do you do around here?”

“We spend alot of time here working. Gotta keep the family stuff going” Madie looked away a bit, noticing her sister having a hard time carrying some box.

“So no play time?” Nicky seemed completely taken back.

“Not really. It’s hard to explain” Madie rubbed her neck. “Well I gotta go”

“What if we invited you to come with us?” Zaz said without anyone else saying a word.

“I can’t! There’s a lot I can’t talk about” She groaned. “You’re cute and you all look fun. But I can’t”

“You’re coming with us. You seem to need this more than us” Zaz grumbled.

“Guess someone is used to getting everything he wants” Madie sighed and rested her hand on her hip.

“No im just not leaving here without you. And I know you’ll enjoy it.” Zaz looked up at her with a smile. “So why not just say “yes” and enjoy the adventure?”

“It’s not that simple” Madie said and returned to working.

Nobody said anything for the remainder of the meal until Matt motioned for Zaz to step away. So they both moved over two tables.

“This isn’t a good idea” Max sighed. “There’s something else and it doesn’t seem like she wants to tell you more”

“In time she will….” Zaz said back, playing with the silverware on the table. “Just please accept this”

“What if you don’t get it? What if there’s a bunch of stuff and it could get us all in deep shit?” Max groaned trying to get him to think. “I want you to be happy, but you don’t know this girl.”

“I’ll get to know her. They shouldn’t be slaves to their family, that’s bullshit”

“I get it. The way your dad used to act…”

“Just let it go. I’m in charge” Zaz got up and headed for the bathroom.

“Ok bro. You’re in charge” Max mumbled.

Casually avoiding my calling An expert in dream stalling When I should be chasing Not just mentally pacing Getting nowhere so quickly Needing to live more strictly It’s all quite embarrassing Never personally developing Read the books and newsletters Desperate to be among the gogetters Here I am with egg on my face Failing to run my unique race Caught in the act of procrastination Living in a state of perpetual hesitation

I have a gambling problem online spending too much I’m never I debt I’m enjoying it It’s the rush I’ll win big time The influencers they listen to me and I feel compelled to buy it I’m obsessed I will die Ashamed sort off Just one more spin Just one more time

I quivered as I lowered the body underground, pouring salts to hide the smell. It was a dark and unusually quiet night in Riverside and I didn't particularly know how to feel about it. Maybe it was the eire silence or the subtle wind but something felt off. It was almost like someone was watching me.

I quickly covered the body, glancing around to make sure no one was watching, and then reached down to pick up my shovel that I found in the basement. Suddenly I heard a noise, quickly turning around I scanned the premises thoroughly my vision scattered by the darkness of the night. Nothing. I could hear my heart pound through my chest. Taking the shovel I raced out of the woods, trying to figure out which way I came in.

Then all of a sudden bright blue and red lights blinded my vision. I was surrounded by them. 
“Get down on your knees” I heard someone scream. The police. I quietly sobbed as the clicked the stiff metal handcuffs around my trembling hands. The loud noise of sirens rang in my ear, as the police officer behind me shoved me into the back of his car. I knew that they had found the body by then, and in another 3 days I would be standing in a court, pleading guilty for the charge of murder. 

I didn't do it.

I didn't do it. 

I didn't do it.

I did it.

Not you Too Goodness I expected more. I’m Mortified. I’m so sorry. I like you. But that’s a terrible habit. Can’t you stop. And reflect on how harmful that is? To your health and family?

What is the habit??

Smoking? Cheating? Gambling?

As I look up I see Michelle standing in the doorway in complete shock. I can’t believe I did it. I am covered in his blood. No, no, no, I can’t be. I said I would never do what he did to everyone else. I messed up badly this time and I don’t think I can get out of this one. To be fair he came after me again, I have a restraining order against him, so does my daughter, plus he’s supposed to be in jail still. Here he lays bleeding out in the Slatve’s living room carpet because my innate reaction was to lodge the kinfe I was using into his carotid. I messed up. I don’t care how many awful things Micheal has done but I cannot be the reason he dies. I want him dead just as much as everyone that is aware of his wrong doings but I will not be the cause of his death. I will never be able to forget this blood. For the love of God, he will not leave me alone. I want to be rid of him but not like this. I messed up. This is so bad. I look back at Michelle and realized she called over Mrs. Slatve and they both held a proud look in their eyes even though they were not smiling.